Life-saving device and container



May 22, l928.- 1,670,631

P. MILLER, JR

LIFE SAVING DEV LCE AND CONTAINER I Filed Aug. 6, 1927 7 Attorney V Inventor I Pater Mia/7dr."

V Bydwf Patented May 22, 1928.

UNITE s'rrss 1,67,631 PATENT orr ca PETER MILLER, JR., OF SPRINGDALE, WASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO ANTON MILLER AND ONE-FOURTH WASHINGTON.

'IO CHARLES R. CRISP, BOTH 0F SPRING-DALE,

LIFE-SAVING DEVICE AND CONTAINER.

Application filed August 6, 1927. Serial No. 211,160.

My present invention relates to an improved life saving device and container the latter being used in the form of a bathing cap and the former fashioned as a pair of inflatable wings or bags, adapted, when dcflated to be compactly stored within the bathing cap. Detachable fasteners are provided whereby the inflatable wings may with facility be fastened within the interior of the cap when not in use, but may with equal facility be detached from the interior of the cap and inflated when required as a bonyant float for life saving purposes, or for use as a swimming appliance.

Preferably the bathing cap is fashioned of rubber or rubber-fabric, and the life saving device is fashioned in the form of duplex, inflatable bags or wings, also made up of rubber material and provided with means for introducing air to their interiors for rendering them buoyant in order that they may perform their usual functions.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be more fully set forth and claimed. In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are combined and arranged according to the best mode I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a view showing a bathing cap equipped with the device of -my invention, and illustrated as worn.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the cap showing by dot-ted lines the arrangement of the wings or inflatable bags within the cap.

Figure 3 is aplan view of the duplex bags or wings, shown as inflated and in condition for use in supporting a person in the water.

Figure 4 is a detail, part section, view of the valved filling-stem for the pneumatic bags or wings.

In carrying out my invention I utilize the usual or standard type of bathing cap 1' that is made of waterproof material and provided with a strengthening band 2 around its edge. At the opposite sides of the bathing cap a series of three snap fasteners 3 are shown, the fastener devices of each set or series being spaced equidistant apart and having their operating faces at the inner side of the cap.

The life saving device or swimming appliance includes a pair of inflatable bags or wings 4 and 5 preferably made of rubber or other similar material that is impervious to water and fashioned to conform to the interior shape of the cap 1 within which they are to be enclosed, when deflated.

Each of these inflatable bags near a straight edge as E is provided with snap fastening elements as 6 complementary to the elements 3 of the cap. These snap fasteners may be of the glove fastening type so that the deflated bags may with facility be fastened within the interior of the cap, or

thebags may readily be detached therefrom.

The deflated bags are designed. to lie snugly at each side of the head of the wearer of the cap between the inner face of the cap and the opposite sides of the head of the wearer, and therefore do not occupy any excessive space nor materially alter the ap-, pearance of the bathing cap.

Adjoining curved edges of the bags are connected by a filling tube 7 having its ends secured within the two bags, and a filling stem 8 is fashioned integral with and at right angles to the tube. tube and stem may be of flexible or soft rubber if desired with necessary parts hardened to properly perform their functions, and a spring pressed valve 9 opening inwardly is located within the hollow stem adjacent the orifice 10. It will readily be apparent that when the free end of the stem is placed in the mouth, air may be blown past the valve into the stem and thence into the two bags to inflate them. When inflated to the desired pressure or buoyancy the spring pressed valve, which is also held closed by air pressure from within the bags, prevents escape of air.

To deflate the bags, a toothpick may be inserted in the orifice 10 to remove the'valve from its seat and thus permit escape of air from the bags, after which they may be restored to and fastened withinthe'interior of the bathing cap.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz-- 1. The combination with a container hav ing opposed fastening means adjacent the edges of an opening therein, of a pair of Both the inflatable bags conforming to the interior shape of the container and provided with complementary fastening means, and means for introducing air under pressure to inflate the bags When detached from the conta'iner. v

2. The combination with a bathing cap having detachable fastening devices at its inner side and on opposite edges, of a pair of inflatable bags conforming to the interior shape of the cap and adapted to lie therein, complementary fastening, devices on said bags for co-action with those on the cap, and air-filling means for said bags.

3. The combination with a bathing cap having opposed sets of fastening devices on its inner face, of a pair of inflatable bags having complementary fastening devices, an air tube connecting the bags, a filling stem connected to the tube and a check valve in said stem.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

PETER MILLER, JR. 

